U.S. patent application number 11/090991 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-28 for cable projectile catcher.
Invention is credited to Arlen K. Bean.
Application Number | 20060213571 11/090991 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37033990 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060213571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bean; Arlen K. |
September 28, 2006 |
Cable projectile catcher
Abstract
A mechanism is provided for attachment to the exit end of a
conduit during cable installation through the conduit. The
mechanism absorbs the energy from, and captures the projectile and
cable assembly exiting from a conduit during cable installation. A
clamp is provided to attach the mechanism to the conduit. The clamp
can be readily adjusted to fit a variety of conduit sizes.
Inventors: |
Bean; Arlen K.; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYRL J. SAAREM
2057 W. WASHINGTON ST.
CARSON CITY
NV
89703
US
|
Family ID: |
37033990 |
Appl. No.: |
11/090991 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
138/155 ;
138/109; 138/177; 138/178; 24/284; 24/285; 285/197; 285/368;
285/410 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 1/085 20130101;
Y10T 24/1451 20150115; Y10T 24/1453 20150115; H02G 1/08 20130101;
H02G 1/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
138/155 ;
138/177; 138/178; 138/109; 024/284; 024/285; 285/368; 285/410;
285/197 |
International
Class: |
F16L 9/22 20060101
F16L009/22 |
Claims
1. A catcher for dissipating kinetic energy and trapping a
projectile and cable exiting from a conduit, comprising: a) a
single tube of substantially constant outside diameter and
substantially constant inside diameter, b) an end cap releasably
attached to first end of said tube, c) a resilient snubber, and d)
an integral clamp attached to second end of said tube for joining
said catcher to said conduit, whereby, exit velocity of said
projectile and cable is dissipated when said projectile strikes
said snubber and whereby, said projectile and cable are captured
within said tube.
2. The catcher of claim 1 wherein said single tube contains means
to exhaust accumulated air within said tube to atmosphere.
3. The catcher of claim 1 wherein said clamp comprises: a) two
hinged halves, b) a swivel bolt, c) a wing nut, and d) two locking
pads, whereby, manipulation of said wing nut can cause said clamp
to be tightened or loosened to attach or detach said catcher from
said conduit and whereby, said locking pads provide locking means
to said conduit
4. The locking pads of claim 3 wherein said pads are appropriately
sized to accommodate the size of said conduit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an energy-absorbing and
projectile capturing system, finding utility when installing
fiber-optic cable, or other like cable, in a buried conduit.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conduits are often laid underground in covered trenches for
long distances. Subsequently, fiber-optic cables or the like are
installed in these conduits. During installation the cables are
propelled from the open installation end of the conduit over a
distance to the open exit end of the length of conduit by a
combination of mechanical feeding and air pressurization as
illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,264 by Kaminski, et al.
[0003] The leading end of the cable is affixed with a device that
allows free movement of the device through the conduit while also
providing a seal between the device and the inside diameter of the
conduit. This device is often referred to as a "bird", "parachute",
or projectile, or the like. When the open installation end of the
conduit is pressurized the pressure differential across the bird
propels the bird and the attached cable along the path of the
conduit to the open exit end of the conduit. The bird and attached
cable may arrive at this exit end at very high velocity. Bodily
injury, such as broken limbs, and, property damage, such as firing
the projectile and cable over external power lines, have been
reported as a result of the violent exit of the bird and cable from
the exit end of the conduit.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,411 by Kology addresses these problems
by using a receiver at the exit end of a conduit to absorb energy
and catch the bird. This prior art describes the proofing of a
conduit using only a bird, such as, if the bird can be sent through
the conduit and arrive at the exit end, the conduit is assumed to
be free of obstruction, and hence, ready for cable installation.
Kology describes a three-piece tubular structure with a removable
cap, which contains an energy absorbing rubber stop. One section of
the tubular structure contains attachment threads for joining the
removable cap. The second section contains perforations for
allowing air escapement that accumulates in front of the moving
bird. The third section is a transition tube that adapts the second
section diameter to the conduit by reducing the third section
diameter so that the inside diameter of the third section equals
the inside diameter of the conduit.
[0005] The prior art requires a different size receiver for each
different size of conduit. Separate conduit clamps or couplers must
be provided to attach the receiver to the conduit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention utilizes a single tubular
construction. One end of the tube is threaded to receive an end
cap. The end cap supports a rubber snubber that provides energy
dissipation when struck by the bird and cable being installed.
Longitudinal slots are provided in the tube to allow air escapement
from inside the tube to atmosphere, but are sized to retain the
bird and cable within the tube.
[0007] The other end of the tube is fitted with a clamping
mechanism, including a hinged pair of coupling halves and a locking
swivel toggle bolt for attaching the tube to the conduit. The
coupling halves are fitted with easily changeable clamping pads
that contain gripping means for securing the tube to the conduit.
Only one cable catcher is required to handle cable installation in
a variety of conduit sizes by simply using the proper size clamping
pads to match the conduit size.
[0008] Hence, a reliable and inexpensive mechanism provides safety
and convenience for dissipating kinetic energy and capturing
projectiles and cables during cable installation in multiple sizes
of conduit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the invention taken along line
2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the clamp of the present
invention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an end view of the clamp of the present invention
showing unclamping positions of significant parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In FIG. 1 a cable projectile catcher 10 is shown. One end of
tube 12 is releasably fitted with an end cap 14. Tube 12 is
provided with multiple longitudinal slots 16. Attached to the other
end of tube 12 is a clamp 18.
[0014] In FIG. 2 end cap 14 is shown threaded into tube 12. Snubber
20 is fitted within tube 12 and abuts end cap 14.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows clamp 18 with hinged half 22 joined to hinged
half 24 by hinge pin 26. Either hinged half 22 or hinged half 24 is
welded or otherwise joined to tube 12. For example, hinged half 22
is shown joined to tube 12 by weld 28 in FIG. 1. Clamp pads 30 and
32 are attached to hinged halves 22 and 24 respectively by flush
mounting screws 34. The inside surfaces of clamp pads 30 and 32 may
be provided with gripping means, such as minute circumferential
ribs. Clamp pads 30 and 32 can be properly sized to accommodate the
conduit 40 (see FIG. 2) being used in the present installation.
[0016] Tightening wing nut 36 onto threaded swivel bolt 38 causes
clamp 18 to securely clamp catcher 10 to conduit 40 (see FIG. 2).
Conversely, as shown in FIG. 4, if wing nut 36 is loosened,
threaded swivel bolt 38 can be swung out of engagement with hinged
half 24. Hinged half 24 can then be rotated open to permit removal
of catcher 10 from conduit 40.
Conclusion
[0017] Thus, catcher 10 offers distinct advantages over prior art.
Catcher 10 provides a convenient means to provide safe and
efficient capture of birds and cable exiting from conduit during
installation of the cable. Catcher 10 can accommodate a range of
conduit sizes. Catcher 10 is economical to manufacture using a
minimal number of parts. Catcher 10 is durable and easy to use.
[0018] It will be appreciated that while particular embodiments of
the invention have been shown and described, modifications may be
made. It is intended in the claims to cover all modifications that
come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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